Keep Your Wits about You; From Strength to Strength

KEEP YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU by Vonetta M. Dotson is a primer focused on “The Science of Brain Maintenance as You Age.” Dotson, an Associate Professor affiliated with the University of Florida, begins by describing a healthy brain and moves on to suggests for activities (physical, mental, and social) to maintain that health. She also stresses the importance of nutrition (especially Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND diets) and sleep and says, “people who practice those behaviors tend to have not only sharper minds but also better moods, and they are less likely to develop cognitive impairment.” Each chapter concludes with a summary of key points, resources and suggested readings, and selected references. While Dotson says that everyone can benefit from reading this book, she includes charts – like ones that describe numerous ideas for moderate and vigorous physical activity – that will be especially beneficial for those age 50 and older.  Throughout, she encourages readers to brainstorm options for future (e.g., new hobbies or resuming old ones) and to note potential barriers and resources. She suggests investigating AARP Learning Academy, FutureLearn, and Coursera. And, Dotson keeps it simple – advocating even ten minutes of exercise or investigating a novel activity to stimulate the brain. Listing six key pillars (Get Moving! Engage your Brain! Get Connected! Nourish your Brain! Sleep Well! And Be Well!), much of her information comes from The Global Council on Brain Health which parallels information available through AARP’s Staying Sharp portal. 

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH by Arthur C. Brooks should be of interest to anyone forty years of age and older. Brooks, a prolific writer and professor at Harvard, writes about “Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.” He deftly employs a conversational tone, personal examples, and memorable phrases (e.g., the strivers’ curse) to share insights about how our brains and capabilities change as we age. Noting that aging achievers often fall into a “vicious cycle: … hooked on successes that are increasingly of the past and isolated from others,” Brooks explains the differences between fluid intelligence (ability to solve abstract problems) that is strongest early in adulthood and crystallized intelligence (application of accrued knowledge) that increases as we age and contrasts the life work and satisfaction of Darwin and Bach. He also references Robert Waldinger’s TedTalk, “What makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness:”

Brooks lists factors we can influence - not smoking or drinking, body weight, exercise, adaptive coping style and education, and especially the impact of loneliness and the importance of healthy relationships with family and friends. He offers a call to action even though “sometimes, we must fight our natural instincts if we want to be happy.” Highly recommended.